Junior FUN       JF#1 DO (Sept. '93)
Family Update News to share with kids!

         (To be read by all adults, YAs & teens. Portions marked "To Read to Kids" should be read to all children 7 years & up, & many parts may be shared with younger children at the discretion of the teachers, parents & Shepherds.)

Dear Family,

         We love you and are by your side in spirit in the battle as you fight for our rights, our freedom and our children. The Enemy is surely coming in like a flood, but we have the Lord's promises and His standard to raise high as we march into battle! PTL!
         During these times of persecution we are especially concerned that our children are receiving the instruction, encouragement and counsel they need to help them take their places along with us in battle, and to be able to stand strong, to resist the Enemy and be victorious, even if they are separated from us. With this in mind, the "Junior FUN" has been created. In it we are planning to pass on counsel, tips and advice for parents, teachers, Shepherds and childcare helpers, plus specific testimonies, articles and items that you can read with the kids. We suggest that all adults, YAs and teens read the Junior FUN, so you will all be aware of what the children are learning about these various situations, and will be able to adapt your conversations with them accordingly. We will be compiling these Junior FUNs from a number of different sources, and will do our best to get them out to you frequently, D.V.
         When reading the Junior FUNs with children, be sure to leave the door open for any questions they may have, and be ready to explain the things that need explaining. Of course, the most important thing when reading it with the children is to have a real full-of-faith attitude, which the children will partake of.

         God bless and keep you close to Him, standing on His Word!

         Standing on the Promises of Christ, my King!
         Through eternal ages let His praises ring!
         "Glory in the Highest!" I will shout and sing,
         Standing on the Promises of God!

         Love, Your WS Family

1. DESPERATION WITHOUT FEARFULNESS--by Maria     Sept. '93
         In this time of so much desperation with the Lord, as a result of these worldwide attacks upon us, we need to teach our children and young people how to have an attitude of desperation with the Lord, while at the same time being full of faith that God is going to take care of them. They do need to realise the seriousness of the situation and how they'd better be on their guard, because the Enemy is going about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. But the thing we all need to get firmly fixed in our minds is that God is going to protect or deliver us, whichever the case may be, if we call out desperately to Him and realise that only He can do it.
         We all need to learn that if we claim His promises, we don't need to fear, because He'll take care of us in whatever way He knows is best, and there's no reason at all to be alarmed or to fear. There is reason for very desperate prayer and to be constantly calling out to the Lord for His help. But these two things are completely different. You can be desperate with the Lord but not have an ounce of fear.--This should be our attitude and frame of mind, but sometimes I think people get the two a little confused, especially our children and young people, not realising that desperation and calling on the Lord with all of our hearts does not need to have anything at all to do with fearfulness. In fact, fearfulness shouldn't play any part in our calling out to the Lord for protection or deliverance.
         God bless you and keep you trusting!
         Love, Maria

2. SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHING OUR KIDS TO FIGHT--(Sent in by Area Mom, L. America:)
         As per Dad and Mama's instructions in GN557, "It's Time to Attack!" (ML #2872) paragraphs 45-50, we have encouraged our Homes to "teach our kids when to fight" by pow-wowing with them the movies, "Heidi", "101 Dalmatians" and the GAP pow-wowed version of "Pinocchio." Each of these movies contains good lessons about the kids either making mistakes by not standing up as fighters and getting off guard, or the good sample of demanding their rights, wanting to return to their parents, and exposing their lying enemies (such as when Heidi gets kidnapped from her Grandfather).

3. SUGGESTED READING MATERIAL
         >> Kidz #76DO "Jesus Cares for His Own"
         >> Please refer to "Children's Reading List and Activity Guide" in FSM 233, "Caring for Children During the Family Fast, '93."
         >> MLK: Persecution--As God Sees It!
         >> MLK: God's Eyes!
         >> "Is Life So Dear?" Christian Digest #4 (Suggested for OCs on up; parts or a "pre-digested" version for MCs, at the discretion of the teacher.)

4. TO READ TO KIDS:

Worldwide Persecution Victories

         "All that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2Tim.3:12.) This is a familiar verse to all of us, and in these past two years, we have seen it fulfilled in our Family more than ever. Our Family has been the object of several attacks by our enemies who are trying to stop our work for the Lord. But, as you read in the MLK "God's Eyes", God is fighting for us! We are His children, and when anyone tries to stop or hurt us, or hinder our work, "they are not just fighting us!--They're fighting against God Himself! And God says, 'Don't worry, I will protect you and I will defend you. You just keep telling people the Truth, and watch Me fight for you.'" (MLK 544, "God's Eyes.")
         Here are some of the main situations where the Enemy has tried to hurt or stop our Family in the past three years. In each situation, the Lord has answered our prayers and delivered our Family and their children, fulfilling His Word, "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace!" (Ex.14:14.) Thank You Jesus!

         (A) In Kidz 76, "Jesus Cares for His Own", we told you of the situation about Auntie Lamb and her children in Australia. The Lord miraculously delivered the children from those who wanted to take them out of the Family, and the judge said they should stay with Auntie Lamb and the Family! TYJ! And, even though, as we mentioned in Kidz 77 ("Answers to Prayer," pg.20), the Community Services tried again to get the children, they did not succeed, and the judge decided again in favour of Auntie Lamb and the Family!

         (B) In Kidz 76, we also told you about Auntie Pearl and baby Samuel in England. Thank the Lord, baby Samuel continues to live in a Family Home with Auntie Pearl, and now he is nearly two years old! But the court case is not over yet, and those who want to take little Samuel away are still trying. Please continue to pray for Auntie Pearl and Samuel, and for the Family there who are standing up with them to fight for their right to be in the Family. Pray also that Auntie Pearl's mother, who is fighting the Family, will drop the case and Samuel will be able to grow up with his mommy in the Family.

         (C) Not long after the cases of Auntie Lamb and Auntie Pearl started, in May of 1992, police and social workers came to the Homes in Sydney and Melbourne in Australia. 142 of our dear Family children were taken away from their Homes and parents by the Community Services, and held in institutions for a week. They were tested and questioned, and at the end of the week, the judges decided they should go home to their parents and the Family again! Hallelujah! The "Victory in Babylon" story is written about a situation similar to this one, and tells about some things that did happen to these children and other things that could have happened.
                  In Sydney, the Family had to go to court for many months to prove to the judge that the children were well cared for and happy, and that the Family is a good place for them to grow up. Finally the Department of Community Services (DOCS) agreed with the Family to stop the court case. The DOCS people admitted they were wrong to try to take our children away from their Homes, and agreed that the court case could stop as long as the children attended some activities with System children.
         The DOCS said they thought the Family children needed more "socialisation", or interaction with System children. They did not realise two important things about our Family and socialisation:
                  (1) The Bible tells us to "be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers" (2Cor.6:14) and, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the World, and not after Christ." (Col.2:8.)
                  (2) You children have plenty of very good socialisation (which is learning how to relate to and communicate with others), with each other in our Homes, as well as when you go witnessing and on other excursions.
         Even though the parents did not think it was the best thing to do, to have the children go to these System activities, it was better than continuing with the court case for many more months--and they knew that the Lord could turn it into a positive experience. "All things work together for good to them that love God." (Rom.8:28.) Also, as part of the agreement, the Community Services said they would pay for the various sports, music, dancing and other lessons, and for the taxi fares. This turned out to be a good witnessing experience, as while the children attended these lessons several times a week for the past year they were able to witness to and win many of the other children and teachers, and even the taxi drivers who took them to the lessons! Thank You Jesus!

         (D) In Melbourne, the court case has been continuing longer than it did in Sydney, as the Community Services (CSV) do not want to come to an agreement and they do not want to admit they were wrong. Thank the Lord, the children are still able to live with their parents in Family Homes. The children and teens themselves have been demonstrating and marching and have even represented themselves in court, showing the judge and the CSV that they want to defend their right to grow up in the Family. Usually a lawyer represents someone in court, but on this occasion it worked out for the teens to do it. They had favourable reactions from the newspapers and from the judge, PTL! Please continue to pray for this situation, that the CSV will agree to drop the case, as they still want the court case to go on and on, which is, of course, taking a lot of the Family's time away from their normal witnessing ministry. Please pray that we can come to a speedy agreement, and that the case can be settled in our favour, outside of court.

         (E) In Barcelona, Spain, the police had visited some Homes three years ago, taken the children into custody in state institutions, and accused the Family of different crimes. After a court battle which lasted some time, the children were returned to their parents. Our enemies tried to start yet another court case, but recently all the brethren were declared innocent of any wrongdoing. PTL! The judges were very fair and righteous and courageous as they stood up boldly in our favour against our accusers. God bless them!

         (F) More recently, our Homes in two cities in France were raided by the police, and 90 teens, JETTs and children were taken into custody by the Social Services. Some of the adults were put in jail, but were then released when they were found to be completely innocent. Some of the children stayed in institutions and in foster homes for 51 days. (A foster home is the home of a private family who agrees to take care of children sent to them by the Social Services.)
         When this situation happened in France, Grandpa called for our whole Family to go on the attack to tell the World about the religious persecution that was happening in France. Around the World, our Family held demonstrations and marches, picketing (holding up signs) at the French embassies and consulates, showing how upset we were about it, and telling the newspapers and TV stations what had happened. We all prayed desperately that the children would be released, and after 51 days, they all were returned to their parents. Thank You Jesus!
         Please pray for the Family in France, as although we have won many victories and the children continue to live with their parents in Family Homes, the Family still needs to come before the judge at the end of September for his decision whether the Family would need to go to court or not.
         LATE NEWS FLASH: In one of the cities, Lyon, the judge just declared that the psychiatrists' reports on the children were very good, and that the children were well adjusted and each had the ability to speak their own mind. The judge said, "This court no longer sees the need for any further enquiry or involvement in the case," and he closed the case concerning the children! PTL!

Current Persecution in Argentina

         Well, you can certainly see from all these situations that the Enemy is really on the attack in an all-out battle to stop God's Work. Our Family children have been wonderful fighters during these very difficult times, standing up for their faith and the Family, and being good witnesses. God bless them!
         Now, this month the Enemy made another major attack, for which we need all of your desperate prayers! On September 1st at 2 o'clock in the morning, police raided five Family Homes in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 39 adults and 137 children were taken into custody. Nineteen of the adults have since been released, but the others are still being held. The children are in government institutions. Thank the Lord, some of the adults have been permitted to stay with most of the children. We have heard that the children are healthy and doing well, the older ones helping take care of the younger ones and having Word time. The JETTs even sang for the director of the institute and all the people who work there! Thank You Jesus! Lord, please be with our dear brothers and sisters, and help them to keep witnessing, and deliver them out of this soon! In Jesus' name.
         The prosecutor has accused the Family of child abuse. In other words, he is saying the children are not well cared for, and that people in the Family have hurt them. What lies! Our Family children are some of the most well cared-for children in the World! You are so precious to us, and we would never want to hurt you! Doctors have examined the children and found no evidence of abuse at all! The charges are false! But some very unhappy and bitter people who used to be in the Family now want to destroy our Work, and they have made up these lies and told them to the Argentine judge and some other people in the government, who have unfortunately believed their lies.
         It is very sad and makes us very angry that former Family members, who had left because they didn't want to dedicate their lives to Jesus any more, are helping to cause this persecution. But it is not the first time that something like this has happened. Think of King David, when his own son, Absalom, tried to become king in his place. In the Psalms King David said:
         "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me." (Psa.41:9.) ("Lifted up his heel" means he tried to hurt and cause trouble for King David.)

Psalm 35:
         11. "False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not." (Just like they did with Jesus [Mk.14:56] and the Apostle Stephen [Acts 6:11-14], and they are now doing with us!)
         12. "They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul." (Our Family is doing a good work, helping many people and bringing thousands to Jesus every day! But our enemies are not happy with that, and are rewarding this good work by trying to bring evil or harm to our Family.)
         13. "But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
         14. "I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother." (When they were part of the Family, we prayed for them and cared for them, because they were our brothers and sisters. The Family Shepherds and brethren gave a lot of time, love, prayer and shepherding to try to help these same people who are now attacking us so viciously and falsely.)
         15. "But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects (backsliders) gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:" (But, sad to say, they turned against us, and several of them are working together to try to stop our Family. But God has promised "They can't stop our rain" [see ML#128], so we know they'll never succeed!)
         (King David prayed against his enemies:)
         19. "Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
         26. "Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me."

         Our Family is praying desperately for the release of all the children and adults, and the dismissal of the case, and we're doing all we can to bring the situation in Argentina to the attention of people around the World, through radio, television, newspaper, marching and picketing, personal letters, telephoning and visiting diplomats, politicians and concerned people. Please pray together with us:
         * for the immediate release of all the children;
         * for the release of all the adults, and that they will be acquitted (declared innocent) of all charges brought against them;
         * that the children will stand strong during this time of being away from the Family;
         * against those who are causing this persecution;
         * for favourable newspaper articles and TV shows about us, showing the truth of the situation;
         * against the unfavourable newspaper articles and TV shows that have come out about us, and that our friends and contacts will not be affected badly by them.

         Use the verse cards that were provided in Kidz 76 and in "Victory in Babylon" Part 4, claiming the Word in powerful prayers of deliverance! We know the Lord will answer because He has promised to. "Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." (Psa.50:15.) God bless you! Thank you for being prayer warriors!

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